In-law of victim afraid after release of psychopath

WHEN Karen Denyer looks at her teenage daughter, she prays her child never comes into contact with someone like Paul Sutherland. Ms Denyer's mother-in-law, Paula Peters, was killed by Sutherland in 1987 and her body was dumped in a cane field about to be harvested.

"It's hard enough when a family member dies in a car accident, but something like this, there are a thousand and one questions that go through your mind, the Toowoomba woman said. It is a life sentence for the families. 'Sutherland was released from prison recently after serving 17 years for the manslaughter of Ms Peters and the rape of another Bundaberg woman.

'Ms Denyer said his release was worrying and brought up a whole new range of emotions.

"Knowing that he's out brings it all up again," she said. "I really feel for the next person that might become a victim. At a Supreme Court Trial to determine whether Sutherland should be released, a panel of three psychiatrists testified that he was a "sexually sadistic psychopath" and a high risk of re-offending.

The mother of five said it was unfortunate for some poor woman and her family that Sutherland was "free to offend again".

"It makes me angry because I wonder why they ask for expert testimony if they re going to completely ignore it.

"Having seen people go through it myself, that another family might have to go through that is just unacceptable. According to Ms Denyer, her husband (who does not want to be identified), thinks Sutherland has been given a second chance to change his life.

"He doesn't want to seem to be empathising with Paul Sutherland, but he said it's out of our hands.

"Because Sutherland was convicted for Paula, there was a sense of closure, but he still really feels for the other families who are still waiting." Sutherland was recently found to be living in a three-bedroom house at the Gold Coast, just 500 metres from a high school.

Corrective Services officers removed him late on Friday afternoon after a public outcry. His new residence is still unknown.